By Michael Lindsay
Both Cookeville basketball programs were in action Saturday afternoon competing in the District 9-4A semifinals as the Lady Cavaliers cruised to a 63-23 win over Wilson Central while the CHS boys fell to Lebanon, 65-44.
Girls
The #1-seeded Cookeville Lady Cavaliers took care of business in Saturday’s District 9-4A semifinals as they defeated Wilson Central, 63-23.
Cookeville (25-4) spread the wealth offensively as 7 players scored at least 6 points, led by freshman Allie Gillies with 10 points.
Emma Horner and Macy Hudson had 8 points while district MVP Cassie Gallagher posted 7 points and 6 rebounds.
Despite the lopsided final score, it was Wilson Central (4-21) who held an early 7-5 lead with 3:11 remaining in the first period.
Cookeville took the lead back late in the first as Gallagher and Hudson posted back-to-back baskets to put the Lady Cavs up 9-7.
The baskets were the start of a 36-3 run by Cookeville that spanned into the second half as they held a 41-10 lead with 5:40 left in the third period. The Lady Cavs finished the second half strong to defeat Wilson Central, 63-23.
Cookeville’s win advances them to Monday’s District 9-4A championship game, where they’ll face Green Hill for the second consecutive year. Green Hill spoiled Cookeville’s perfect record last season as they upset the Lady Cavaliers in the 2022 district championship, 41-37. The Lady Hawks upset Lebanon in Saturday’s semifinals, 46-31.
Cookeville (63): Allie Gillies 10, Emma Horner 8, Macy Hudson 8, Cassie Gallagher 7, Jordan Gillies 6, Isabel Garcia 6, Cara Lee Gilbert 6, Lily McCarter 5, Charlie Roby 4, Hannah Rich 2, Taniah Dirkson 4, Kendyn McCloud 1, Morgan Guffey 1
Boys
In the boys semifinals, Cookeville fell to Lebanon 65-44 as Blue Devil standout Jarred Hall led Lebanon with 27 points.
Cookeville (16-11) was led by 14 points from Josh Heard and 13 by Alex Clark.
Lebanon (20-9) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead early in the first period. The Blue Devils pushed their lead to 18-6 with 6:50 remaining in the second period.
Cookeville came to life late in the second quarter as they trimmed Lebanon’s lead to 7 points (32-25) via a Josh Heard free throw with 17.9 seconds left in the first half. The Blue Devils tacked on two more points in the final seconds of the half to lead 34-25 at the break.
Lebanon and Cookeville traded baskets throughout the third period as the Blue Devils’ lead fluctuated between 8 and 12 points throughout the frame. Lebanon held a 46-34 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Blue Devils opened the fourth quarter with a quick 7-2 run to lead 53-36 with 6:30 remaining.
Lebanon held on to their lead for the duration of the fourth quarter to beat Cookeville by a 65-44 final score.
Cookeville will face Wilson Central (10-17) in Monday’s consolation round at Cookeville High School. The Cavs swept the Wildcats in the regular season.
Cookeville (44): Josh Heard 14, Alex Clark 13, Jalen Heard 12, Dontae Potts-Heard 3, Bennett Reeves 2
